Ireland Can End On A High

22 November 2002 18:41pm

23/11/2002. The opportunity presents itself today for Ireland to go into the winter break in rude good health if they can defeat Argentina at Lansdowne Road (4.30pm).

The opportunity presents itself today for Ireland to go into the winter break in rude good health if they can defeat Argentina at Lansdowne Road (4.30pm). And in many ways this game is the most important of the three autumn internationals. Following on from the victory over Australia (we always expected to beat Fiji) this Ireland squad have placed themselves at a level they are very comfortable with and it's important for them to acquit themselves well this afternoon if they are to remain at that level.

'Acquit themselves well', really translates into putting back-to-back victories over top class opposition - because that's what Argentina are - in order to shelve the idea that all we are capable of is 'flash in the pan' wins over the top teams.

It would be important this afternoon that all talk of Lens '99 is banished from the Irish dressing-room.

This game is not about Lens or Buenos Aires in 2000, it's all about today, November 23rd, and maybe also RWC 2003.Going on what we saw at Donnybrook last Wednesday, the task facing the Irish is a really formidable one. Argentina have a settled and experienced squad - they were able to field 13 internationals in Donnybrook - but besides that they have ley players in key positions such as Augustin Pichot, Rolando Martin, and captain Lisandro Arbizu. They love the physical stuff and they love to attack, particularly off broken play and from quick-tap penalties. And they have the players who have the flair and the pace to burn any side.

And Ireland can beat them.

Australian coach Eddie Jones has said that "with him (O'Driscoll) in the side Ireland can do anything." And of course he's correct. But now other players are starting to step up to the plate and the result is two-fold. In having to focus on the likes of Shane Horgan, Kevin Maggs and a more daring Ronan O'Gara, the attention slips a little from the number 13. Anything less than 110% focus on the best outside centre in world rugby gives Ireland a further edge.

So today we look forward to more of the same from an Ireland side that has a confident settled look about it. There will be talk of winning not being important. Performance is the thing. Maybe so. But just as it's hard to break out of a losing run, then it's equally difficult to give up that winning feeling. Ireland have to turn Lansdowne Road into the type of ground that Thomond Park is and Ravenhill and Donnybrook have become in recent years,a place where visiting teams, a) don't like visiting, and b) don't expect to win.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.